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Country Villa with large infinity pool in a rural location overlooking lake

Country Villa with large infinity pool in a rural location overlooking lake

A 4 bedroom rustic finca style country villa, sleeps 8, six in the main house and two in the self contained cottage.
This country property has a large private infinity pool and is set in a rural and tranquil location in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park but is within easy driving distance of the cosmopolitan town of Marbella and thriving marina of Puerto Banus. Set in its own grounds of nearly two acres the property has three double bedrooms and a self contained double bedroomed cottage overlooking the large pool. There are 180 degree rural lake views from covered and open terraces and a large barbecue terrace.
Peaceful and tranquil, the finca is ideal for a relaxing break close to some of the best amenities on the Costa del Sol including numerous Golf Courses, which are within easy reach. The lake is great for fishing and kayaking and we have a double and a single kayak for use to explore the length of the lake and secluded inlets. There is great walking for all levels in the surrounding countryside and horse riding is available locally.
Check the testimonials to see what previous guests have thought of the villa and the surrounding valley and range of activities locally.
BEACHES: The coast is only 10kms away and offers a great range of beaches to cater for all tastes. There are plenty of family friendly beaches, luxury beaches (Nikki Beach), disco beaches (Puerto Banus), and even a naturist beach at Cabopino. All offer beach bars or restaurants. A range of water sports is also available from the beaches as well as the large number of marinas and ports in the area including Puerto Banus, Marbella, Cabapino, and Estepona.
The vibrant and throbbing marina of Puerto Banus is only 9kms from the finca and offers international shopping alongside bustling ethnic markets and an outstanding range of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The busy town of Marbella with it's galleries, boutiques and seafront promenade is only 10kms away offering some of the best shopping and visitor facilities in Southern Spain. The cobbled streets and alleyways around it's world famous Plaza de Naranjos (Orange Square) offer ethnic goods alongside haut couture. The Square itself has a range of excellent restaurants with many more nearby.
ACTIVITIES: The villa is close to Marbella & Puerto Banus, but it's rural position offers easy access to an exciting and diverse range of other activities. It is on the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (so beautiful it has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere) and offers easy and challenging walks as well as horse riding and guided Jeep and quad bike tours. The countryside has an incredible range of spring flowers and fauna including Golden Eagles, Ibex, and wild boars.
We have private access to the reservoir which is great for swimming, kayaking and has good carp fishing and we have a double and single kayak for exploring the lake and inlets.
Tennis and Padle is available only 6 kms away at the Manolo Santanna Racquets Club, which also has a fully equipped gymnasium for working out, large pool, children's play area, restaurant and expansive terraces.
There is a Sea Life Centre, Amusement Park and Dolphinarium in Benalmadena, about 25kms away, which also has a cable car ride to a café and viewing point in the hills behind the town where you can take a donkey ride or watch horse riding displays.
There is a great Water Park at neighbouring Torremolinos.
Selwo Aventura wildlife enclosure near Estepona is 20kms away, where you can take a Jurassic Park type ride and see lions, tigers, elephants and giraffes and more, in natural settings.
Less than an hours drive away is Gibraltar with it's cable car to the top of the Rock to enjoy stunning views towards Africa and the antics of the Barbary Apes.
There is plenty to see and do including scuba diving and visiting the 300 year old defensive caves cut into the rock.
For the adventurous who might like to visit Africa, it’s only 25 km away across the Straits of Gibraltar – an easy 30 minute trip by the catamaran ferry which leaves several times daily from Tarifa to Tangiers.
Tarifa, with it's wide sandy beaches and dunes, is recognised as the kite and wind surfing centre of Europe.
PLACES TO VISIT: The villa is a great base for visiting other villages, towns and cities within the area. Little can rival the spectacular drive to Ronda or crossing the bridge above it's deep gorge which housed it's ancient prison, or a visit to it's bull ring, said to be the oldest in Spain.
The city of Malaga is steeped in history but enjoys many modern facilities including a busy commercial port. The other Pueblo Blancos of Mijas, Casares and Benahavis are all nearby and worth visiting.
Granada with it's beautiful and historic Alhambra Palace is under two hours drive away and makes a wonderful day out.

Overview

A 4 bedroom rustic finca style country villa, sleeps 8, six in the main house and two in the self contained cottage.

This country property has a large private infinity pool and is set in a rural and tranquil location in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park but is within easy driving distance of the cosmopolitan town of Marbella and thriving marina of Puerto Banus. Set in its own grounds of nearly two acres the property has three double bedrooms and a self contained double bedroomed cottage overlooking the large pool. There are 180 degree rural lake views from covered and open terraces and a large barbecue terrace.

Peaceful and tranquil, the finca is ideal for a relaxing break close to some of the best amenities on the Costa del Sol including numerous Golf Courses, which are within easy reach. The lake is great for fishing and kayaking and we have a double and a single kayak for use to explore the length of the lake and secluded inlets. There is great walking for all levels in the surrounding countryside and horse riding is available locally.

Check the testimonials to see what previous guests have thought of the villa and the surrounding valley and range of activities locally.

BEACHES: The coast is only 10kms away and offers a great range of beaches to cater for all tastes. There are plenty of family friendly beaches, luxury beaches (Nikki Beach), disco beaches (Puerto Banus), and even a naturist beach at Cabopino. All offer beach bars or restaurants. A range of water sports is also available from the beaches as well as the large number of marinas and ports in the area including Puerto Banus, Marbella, Cabapino, and Estepona.

The vibrant and throbbing marina of Puerto Banus is only 9kms from the finca and offers international shopping alongside bustling ethnic markets and an outstanding range of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The busy town of Marbella with it's galleries, boutiques and seafront promenade is only 10kms away offering some of the best shopping and visitor facilities in Southern Spain. The cobbled streets and alleyways around it's world famous Plaza de Naranjos (Orange Square) offer ethnic goods alongside haut couture. The Square itself has a range of excellent restaurants with many more nearby.

ACTIVITIES: The villa is close to Marbella & Puerto Banus, but it's rural position offers easy access to an exciting and diverse range of other activities. It is on the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (so beautiful it has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere) and offers easy and challenging walks as well as horse riding and guided Jeep and quad bike tours. The countryside has an incredible range of spring flowers and fauna including Golden Eagles, Ibex, and wild boars.

We have private access to the reservoir which is great for swimming, kayaking and has good carp fishing and we have a double and single kayak for exploring the lake and inlets.

Tennis and Padle is available only 6 kms away at the Manolo Santanna Racquets Club, which also has a fully equipped gymnasium for working out, large pool, children's play area, restaurant and expansive terraces.

There is a Sea Life Centre, Amusement Park and Dolphinarium in Benalmadena, about 25kms away, which also has a cable car ride to a café and viewing point in the hills behind the town where you can take a donkey ride or watch horse riding displays.

There is a great Water Park at neighbouring Torremolinos.

Selwo Aventura wildlife enclosure near Estepona is 20kms away, where you can take a Jurassic Park type ride and see lions, tigers, elephants and giraffes and more, in natural settings.

Less than an hours drive away is Gibraltar with it's cable car to the top of the Rock to enjoy stunning views towards Africa and the antics of the Barbary Apes.

There is plenty to see and do including scuba diving and visiting the 300 year old defensive caves cut into the rock.

For the adventurous who might like to visit Africa, it’s only 25 km away across the Straits of Gibraltar – an easy 30 minute trip by the catamaran ferry which leaves several times daily from Tarifa to Tangiers.

Tarifa, with it's wide sandy beaches and dunes, is recognised as the kite and wind surfing centre of Europe.

PLACES TO VISIT: The villa is a great base for visiting other villages, towns and cities within the area. Little can rival the spectacular drive to Ronda or crossing the bridge above it's deep gorge which housed it's ancient prison, or a visit to it's bull ring, said to be the oldest in Spain.

The city of Malaga is steeped in history but enjoys many modern facilities including a busy commercial port. The other Pueblo Blancos of Mijas, Casares and Benahavis are all nearby and worth visiting.

Granada with it's beautiful and historic Alhambra Palace is under two hours drive away and makes a wonderful day out.

About Gordon & Carolyn Westcott

I was working in London when I was offered the opportunity of working for a firm in Spain and, after much deliberation, decided to give it a go and try to redress the work/life balance and take a sabbatical from the world of insurance.

We were incredibly lucky to find this finca (rural property), built but not finished, which gave us an almost blank canvass to develop our own Spanish Dream. We had three fabulous years living there, mostly in a perpetual building site, but it never stopped us enjoying the sheer pleasure of our surroundings. We altered the layout, fitted the kitchen, finished the bathrooms, extended the original house, built the infinity pool, laid new terraces and set out the gardens and still found time to harvest our own olives and almonds.

We were thrilled to be selected by BBC's Groundforce to do a complete makeover on our back garden. It was shown as their last ever episode and those memories will remain with us forever.

Since returning to the UK we have kept as closely involved with Spain, Istan and the finca as possible and get no greater pleasure than hearing that our guests get as much enjoyment from their stay as we did, and still do.

Gordon & Carolyn Westcott purchased this villa in 2002

Why Gordon & Carolyn Westcott chose West Costa del Sol

When we decided to buy we spent a long time finding the perfect spot. A view over water was our biggest wish and also to be away from the coastal strip but not miles away from anywhere. We searched from Gaucin & Casares to Alhaurin, Coin & Mijas but fell in love with Istan. It's position at the end of the mountain road at the head of the Rio Verde valley means it is one of the lesser known Pueblo Blancas (White Villages) and has not been spoilt by tourism and still retains Spanish charm and traditions.

The finca is only 10kms (about a 15 minute drive) from the bustling coastal area of Marbella and Puerto Banus but enjoys a seclusion, peace and tranquillity all it's own, truly the best of both worlds.

What makes this villa unique

Because we finished the house in the way we liked and furnished it for our own living it feels very homely and this comment has been passed by many of our guests and also that the villa has a certain ambience - but it's the location that is stunning.

The house sits comfortably on the sde of La Concha, the mountain behind Marbella, in the UNESCO Biosphere of the Sierra de las Nieves, facing west and surrounded by mountains and overlooking the lake and National Park, with few other houses in view. It has several living spaces and families of 8 have been able to have as much personal privacy or communal 'get togethers' as they may want, yet a single couple can get just as much pleasure without feeling they are 'rattling around'.

We feel the uniqueness of our house is the ability to get as much life and activity as anyone might want in Marbella and Puerto Banus, and other towns, villages, beaches and marinas on the Costa del Sol and enjoy world class golf at the numerous nearby courses, yet return easily to the silence and tranquillity of the mountain.

Whenever we are there we make sure we are always on the front terrace for when the sun dips below the hills on the far side of the lake, glass of chilled wine in hand, toasting 'end of day' and listening to relaxing music. Our choice of music? Enya's 'Day Without Rain'. What will yours be?

Location

Nearest Airport

45
Kilometres

Malaga Airport - A comfortable 45 minute drive

Nearest Barpub

5
Kilometres

Bar Sud America - Istan

Nearest Ferry

50
Kilometres

Malaga Port

Nearest Golf

7
Kilometres

Alhoa Golf Club or Dame de Noche (Floodlit)

Nearest Train

25
Kilometres

Fuengirola

Nearest Motorway

7
Kilometres

A7 Autopista

Nearest Restaurant

5
Kilometres

Los Jarales, Entre Sierras or El Baron etc - Istan

Nearest Ski

175
Kilometres

Sierra Nevada - Granada

Nearest Beach

10
Kilometres

Puerto Banus

Car: necessary

Whilst the villa itself is set in a secluded position on the quiet slopes of La Concha overlooking the lake of La Embalse de la Concepcion, the bustling town of Marbella with it's beaches and marinas is only a short drive away, including it's famous Orange Square (Plaza de Naranjos). The surrounding narrow cobbled streets of Marbella Old Town are a 'must see' for their stunning array of restaurants, artisan shops and designer boutiques.

The beautiful and vibrant marina of Puerto Banus is even closer by and offers an exceptional range of good quality restaurants offering international and local cuisine, and numerous bars and nightclubs for partying the night away.

Boat and jet ski rental, fishing and scuba diving are all available in this and other nearby marinas at Marbella, Cabopino, Estepona and La Duquesa. There are numerous nearby family friendly beaches with beach bars with sunbeds and parasols for relaxing with many offering a range of water sports for the active. At the luxury Nikki Beach you will find designer sunbeds and waiter service and beach parties every Sunday during the season.

The unspoilt Pueblo Blanco (white village) of Istan, which dates back to the 16th Century, is only 6 kms away within the same UNESCO Biosphere enjoyed by the villa. There is a natural spring which supplies Istan and the surrounding area, including our villa,

with water. Along with the Rio Verde, the spring feeds the lake which is used to supply water to Marbella and the western Costa del Sol. There are four local restaurants and three tapas bars and a range of small shops for basic provisions, including a bakers providing freshly baked artisan bread. There is also a local market on Saturdays.

The villa enjoys access to the lake where you can swim in perfect privacy and isolation or use our kayaks to explore the length of the lake and it's secluded inlets or enjoy a peaceful day picnicking or fishing for the plentiful carp.

The area is a designated Natural Park known as the Sierra de las Nieves and it is well worth doing a Jeep or quad bike safari of the surrounding countryside, which are available from Puerto Banus.

Horse riding and trekking is available at nearby Aloha.

The villa is central on the Costa del Sol, which is also known (deservedly!) as the Costa del Golf. There are numerous top quality Golf Courses within easy reach of the property including Finca Cortesin, Los Naranjos GC , Las Brisas GC, Aloha GC, La Quinta Golf & Country Club, Marbella Golf & Country Club, Rio Real GC, Guadalmina GC, Atalaya GC, El Paraiso and Los Flamingos to name but a few!!

Slightly further afield is La Cala Golf and Alhuarin Golf and the world famous Valderamma at Sotogrande is an easy drive away of about 55kms as is the excellent new La Reserva course. The new and old courses of San Roque, featuring ancient Cork Oaks, are about 60kms from the Finca, about 45 minutes drive away as is the resort and golf course of Alcadeisa.

After a strenuous day on the golf course or a trip to the beach or visiting the sites there is nothing quite as relaxing as retreating to the peace and quiet of one of the villa's terraces and enjoying a glass of wine watching the sun set over the pool and lake.

The surrounding area is so natural and beautiful it has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere and has an incredible range of spring flowers, and wildlife including Golden Eagles, Ibex and wild boars.

The villa is about 2 hours drive from Granada with it's internationally renowned Alhambra Palace as well as the Sierra Nevada skiing area which enjoys good snow conditions from December to late March. It is one of the few places in the world where you can ski on piste in the morning and be water skiing from the beach in the afternoon.

The large master bedroom has a good sized shower room with twin washbasins set in a tiled vanity unit. The family bathroom has a bath with fixed shower. The separate casita (cottage) is self contained and has a large shower room with WC and walk in shower.

All of the bedrooms have Air Conditioning. The large master bedroom enjoys double aspect country views over the lake and to Natural Park and, in the distance, the hills of the Sierra Palmitera. Double doors to a Juliet balcony allow perfect views up the valley to the Sierra de las Nieves mountains beyond Istan. It is air conditioned and has a good sized en suite shower room with a large walk-in shower enclosure and twin washbasins set in a large rustic tiled vanity top, and WC. There is another double bedroom also enjoying wonderful lake views as well as a comfortable twin bedroom. The self contained cottage has a double bedroom, shower room with WC, kitchenette with a dining area/sitting room and enjoys double aspect views onto the infinity pool and terrace and up to the mountains behind Istan.

Entertainment:

Books

Books - Fiction / Non-fiction

CD Player

DVD Player

Games

Radio

Satellite / Cable

Stereo

Television

Video Player

Outside:

Balcony

Binoculars

Boat with Paddles

Terrace

Kayak / Canoe ...

Garden

Barbecue

Patio

Veranda

Terrace

veranda

8 garden chairs

6 deck chairs

Suitability:

Long-term Renters Welcome

wheelchair inaccessible

Pool / Spa:

Outdoor Pool

Private Pool ...

Attractions:

cinemas

marina

naturist beach

restaurants

water parks

Leisure Activities:

bird watching

eco tourism

gambling casinos

horse riding

paddle boating

scenic drives

sight seeing

walking

Local Services & Businesses:

ATM/bank

fitness centre

groceries

hospital

medical services

Sports & Adventure Activities:

cycling

deepsea fishing

fishing

freshwater fishing

golf

hiking

jet skiing

mountain biking

sailing

diving

swimming

tennis

water skiing

Notes:

The property offers covered and open terraces for all season pleasure. The back garden was designed and installed by BBC's Groundforce team and was featured on the show's last ever broadcast. We have upgraded the pergola immediately adjoining the garden and constructed a gas BBQ and servery. A great place to enjoy partial shade and breathtaking views up the valley to the mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves. As the pool is unheated it will be 'open' from 1st May to the end of September, or by prior arrangement. It is usable at other times but may not be 100% crystal clean. Air conditioning is fitted in all bedrooms and the sitting room for cooling or heating as required. If the gentle mountain breezes aren't refreshing enough there are several fans throughout the house for additional comfort if needed. The house is warm during winter months but there is a working Andalucian fireplace and logs are provided. Oil filled radiators are also available for good background heat.

It was a gorgeous setting stunning views

Stunning views and setting, dirt track down to villa a bit of a nightmare once there very peaceful and away from the craziness elsewhere. Shame wifi and no tv working and air con in master bedroom and living room wasnt working much needed as August very hot! Owners on the problem straight away but unfortunately not fixed for our stay! House has everything you need and if you want to be away from it all this is the place to be just make sure you stock up on food and drink as very remote.

Great villa!

A really well appointed villa in a stunning location. We had a great time and would definitely recommend for a relaxing break. Marbella is easily accessible. The gardeners were rather intrusive on our last day of lazing by the pool, hence the 4 stars.

Fantastic view

We had a wonderful stay at your villa. It was more than we expected. This is a beautiful villa with unforgettable amazing views to the lake and mountains. You have created a beautiful place to have an extremely relaxing holiday. We had everything we needed there. Thank you very much for everything!!

Additional pricing information

Damage Deposit

£250

Rates include a weekly clean and change of bed linen & towels for all rentals of 2 weeks or more.

A non-refundable holding deposit of 25% of the total rental will be needed to reserve the property.
The balance plus a security deposit of £250 must be paid 6 weeks before the start of the rental period. This deposit, will be returned within 14 days, less deduction for damages if any.